Grant County District Court

Checking a weapon at Grant County District Court

Used the nice weather as an excuse to pay a ticket, in person, at the Grant County District Court in Ephrata, Washington today. Due to attire, I was cc but I am certain this would apply to any carry, regardless.

Arrived at the courthouse building, went into one of at least two public entrances and found no "check in" points near the entrances. Asked a receptionist nearby where I needed to check a firearm. Back out of the courthouse building, across a breezeway to the sheriff's office. Enter a second building, find the sheriff's office and press the call button. I told them I needed to check a weapon, and wait a moment before a deputy arrives. He asks for the weapon and I hand him my weapon, holster and all, in condition 1. He disappears around the corner, comes back with a key and I continue on my way. I conclude my brief visit at the court offices, and return back to the sheriff's office.

Ringing the bell, the receptionist sees me, comes immediately to the door and takes my key. I wait for a moment, and she returns my weapon. Magazine was removed, round out of the chamber. I immediately asked, "Who unloaded my weapon?" She says, "I did not, but we do not allow loaded firearms to be checked in." I politely smiled, said that was a silly policy and left it at that.

Obviously, I'm not pleased that someone took the liberty of unloading my weapon to secure it. Just yesterday I went to the Franklin County Courthouse and did exactly the same thing without anyone touching my firearm!

hahahhaa it says edited for "grammer"



You WILL respect my authoritahhhhhhhhhh!

Modify the gun such that it fires when unloaded and try again. See how they like that! Not all guns operate the same. Foolish to unload it when unnecessary.

I smell an unconstitutional search....such as running your serial numbers......


Respect my authoritahhhhh!

At the bellingham court house I get to put my weapon in the lockbox myself. If you go back again, wrap a zip tie across the entire holster.

MSG Laigaie said:

At the bellingham court house I get to put my weapon in the lockbox myself. If you go back again, wrap a zip tie across the entire holster.

Click to expand...

So they cut the zip tie off, then what? I doubt there's any law against their rendering a firearm unloaded while in their custody.

amlevin said:

So they cut the zip tie off, then what? I doubt there's any law against their rendering a firearm unloaded while in their custody.

Click to expand...

Because it demonstrates the search aspect of it. The OP checked the weapon in a holster to unload it I am assuming they also had to unholster it. If you put a zip tie around it they would in my opinion need to get a warrant to cut it.

Is there a law that allows them to mess with someone's private property?

I believe actions of our government need to be enumerated and limited as intended years ago by our founders.

Also our RCW's on firearms states that municipalities cannot be more restrictive except....and list the exceptions, demanding ID, stating "no loaded" firearms are permitted, or anything else demanded above what the RCW's state are more restrictive.

MSG Laigaie said:

At the bellingham court house I get to put my weapon in the lockbox myself.

Click to expand...

Your Welcome! LOL.....I am proud of that, it was a year long fight to get them to comply with the law and numerous pestering calls to the city attorney. I didn't think a simple working guy, well out of work guy, with no clout or connections could force a city to change it's policy and comply with state law.

Yet when I win that battle Whatcom County courthouse now breaking the law demanding not just ID but a "Valid State Driver's License".

I am trying to think where to start with this one.

At the Franklin County Courthouse, everyone has to go through a screening building, where they provide lock boxes that you un-holster your weapon and lock it. My only beef there is they ask for ID. It is a private company and I asked what happens if I don't have ID. She didn't respond.

At Grant County, you are sent out of the court building, and across to another building to hand off your weapon. That right there, appears to be in violation of 9.41.300 because it says it is supposed to be in the same building.

sudden valley gunner said:

Because it demonstrates the search aspect of it. The OP checked the weapon in a holster to unload it I am assuming they also had to unholster it. If you put a zip tie around it they would in my opinion need to get a warrant to cut it.

Is there a law that allows them to mess with someone's private property?

I believe actions of our government need to be enumerated and limited as intended years ago by our founders.

Also our RCW's on firearms states that municipalities cannot be more restrictive except....and list the exceptions, demanding ID, stating "no loaded" firearms are permitted, or anything else demanded above what the RCW's state are more restrictive.

Click to expand...

You put it in their custody. It's like handing the keys to a valet in front of a casino or restaurant. They are going to drive the car.

Stretch said:

I am trying to think where to start with this one.

At the Franklin County Courthouse, everyone has to go through a screening building, where they provide lock boxes that you un-holster your weapon and lock it. My only beef there is they ask for ID. It is a private company and I asked what happens if I don't have ID. She didn't respond.

At Grant County, you are sent out of the court building, and across to another building to hand off your weapon. That right there, appears to be in violation of 9.41.300 because it says it is supposed to be in the same building.

Click to expand...

Sounds like Pierce Co. and sounds like Federal way. Correct, it must be in the same building. That sounds like a letter to the proper authorities is needed.

amlevin said:

You put it in their custody. It's like handing the keys to a valet in front of a casino or restaurant. They are going to drive the car.

Click to expand...

Yes they are going to drive it. But you make certain assumptions when you hand off your key. You assume that that valet does not have the right to drive your car to Vegas for the weekend, search it thoroughly, pilfer the spare change in the center console or sell your spare tire.

When you place your firearm in the government lockbox, you have certain expectations there as well as to how they will treat it. Among them is that they will not break the law and make a warrantless search without probable cause.

Difdi said:

Yes they are going to drive it. But you make certain assumptions when you hand off your key. You assume that that valet does not have the right to drive your car to Vegas for the weekend, search it thoroughly, pilfer the spare change in the center console or sell your spare tire.

When you place your firearm in the government lockbox, you have certain expectations there as well as to how they will treat it. Among them is that they will not break the law and make a warrantless search without probable cause.

Click to expand...

But they do have the right, perhaps obligation, to make sure it's safe. If you leave the engine running, lights on, and windows down, they will roll them up, turn off the lights, and turn off the engine.

Good luck on trying to take the issue of unloading the firearm to court. The argument they will present in rebuttal will merely be the safety issue. As for running serial numbers, the only way a court will take notice is if you are "harmed". That would mean if the weapon was then seized as stolen and you were charged in any manner. The warrantlless "search" would then get the evidence tossed. Otherwise you will most likely see the courts saying "no harm, no foul".

The safest firearm is a non handled firearm.

Please cite where the law grants them the power to unload it?

sudden valley gunner said:

The safest firearm is a non handled firearm.

Please cite where the law grants them the power to unload it?

Click to expand...

agreed, I doubt the person handling the firearm is a master gunsmith and certified on every weapon that comes through the checkpoint. Therefore they are ADDING to their liability not lowering it.

sudden valley gunner said:

The safest firearm is a non handled firearm.

Please cite where the law grants them the power to unload it?

Click to expand...

It would be easier to show that there is no law preventing them from doing so. Remember that we here always argue that if something is not prohibited by law then it's allowed. Same for them as for us.

Vitaeus said:

agreed, I doubt the person handling the firearm is a master gunsmith and certified on every weapon that comes through the checkpoint. Therefore they are ADDING to their liability not lowering it.

Click to expand...

Did you have to take a course on every new firearm you purchased just so you could unload it safely?

amlevin said:

Did you have to take a course on every new firearm you purchased just so you could unload it safely?

Click to expand...

No, but I am liable if the firearm discharges, I doubt qualified Immunity would attach to someone handling a checked firearm and even if it did, the organization would be liable for damages as well. Pushing for the locations to have lock boxes similar to the post office with an attendant if they so choose would be in everyone's interest. I cannot remember which Court House has the owner of the firearm place it in a locker and take a key, but some do, working for that to be the standard is a worthy goal.
I also agree that the state and it's representatives are limited to enumerated powers. That we, the citizens, have allowed the current slide away from that position is another topic altogether.

deanf said:

Not really. "Them" is the state. The state has only those powers we delegate to it. The state has no rights.

The sovereign individual has the right to do anything unless specifically prohibited by law. The subordinate state has only the powers we specifically delegate to it.

Click to expand...

He speaks the truth.